ComplaintsforCollege Chevrolet Buick

• Initial Complaint

  08/31/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Sales and Advertising Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I received a mailer from College Chevrolet Buick on 8/30/2024 with 3 game pieces on it. The flyer advertised a sweepstakes where the game pieces determined what prizes you win. All that is needed to claim the prize is: 1) register with ********** that you are the prize winner, 2) bring the flyer, game piece, and confirmation number from the Fatwin.com website to College Chevrolet Buick where the game piece will be validated and the prize will be granted.The game piece and flyer I received indicated that I won a $10,000 prize: the flyer indicated that three of any symbol was a winning game piece, and that three cars meant a $10,000 prize. My game piece had one instance of three cars, indicating a $10,000 prize won. I registered with ********** that I am the winner of the prize and was directed to visit the dealership to claim the prize.I arrived at the dealership at 11:36AM on 8/31/2024 and was greeted by ****. Rather than be given the prize the flyer and game piece indicated that I had won, salesman **** attempted to sell me a car. When I asked about the prize, **** said that the game piece did not indicate that I had won a prize, and then **** told me that the actual method of prize winning was a slot machine application on his cell phone. **** attempted to operate this slot machine application but pressed an incorrect button in error and it would not function, even after **** attempted to get assistance from what I assume was a sales manager. **** offered me a two-dollar bill as the consolation prize, which I refused to accept. I departed the dealership at 11:59AM.There is no mention of any kind of gambling, a cell phone application, a slot machine function, or any other method of prize determination on the mailer, game piece, or in the official contest rules provided by PERQ, LLC. The only mention on the flyer of the dealership having the ability to choose what prize is granted was in reference to cash being awarded in lieu of a vehicle that had been won.

  Business response

  09/03/2024

   ********* is wrong in his assertion that he was a $10000 winner. The promotion is designed as a sales promotion to generate traffic to the dealership. The program was clearly explained to ********* as he was directed to the inside page of the mailer where the terms and conditions were clearly spelled out

  -" Prize winners are determined by entering the barcode number on the mail piece through a kiosk at the dealership"

  "-Matching symbols are not associated with a specific prize"

  -The odds of winning are clearly posted   the odds of winning $10000 are 1:1,000,000      the odds of winning $2 cash are 1:1

  While it is unfortunate that he is frustrated, we successfully served hundreds of guests who both understood the program and enthusiastically participated. ********* was offered the $2 cash that he won on his spin. He declined to accept the money. If he changes his mind and wants to accept the $2 cash, we will gladly send it to him.

  Customer response

  09/05/2024

   
  Complaint: 22224905
  
  I am rejecting this response from the dealership. There are relevant statements on the flyer which completely contradict their claims. Examples:

  "If you have 3 matching symbols under one tab get to the dealership to claim your prize" - this statement indicates that all that is required to have won a prize is 3 matching symbols under one tab.
  

  "Symbols don't match? You're still eligible to win $25,000" - this statement very clearly indicates that if the symbols match, you have WON, by describing the opposite condition: if the symbols do not match, you have not won, but you can attempt to win a secondary prize by lottery.
  

  In the fine print at the bottom of the flyer, the ONLY mention of the dealership being able to award prizes other than those shown on the "winning symbols / prizes" list is this: "Sponsors reserve right to award cash instead of prize(s)."

  Furthermore, in the fine print it also states: "If your symbols/numbers/codes match, you have won one of the prizes shown on this mailer."

  College Chevrolet, at the very least, is admitting to actively lying to at least ******* people (the extent of the mailing, as stated by ****) by saying two completely opposite statements: both "if you have 3 matching symbols under one tab you have won" and "the winner is only determined by a cell phone slot machine app". Actively lying to consumers is against Michigan state law: Section *******, "Unfair, unconscionable, or deceptive methods, acts, or practices in conduct of trade or commerce", specifically subsections bb (Making a representation of fact or statement of fact material to the transaction such that a person reasonably believes the represented or suggested state of affairs to be other than it actually is.) and ff (Offering a consumer a prize if the consumer is required to submit to a sales presentation to claim the prize).

  The dealership needs to make good on its promises of issuing prizes as determined by the game piece and relevant statements on the mailer.
  
  ***************

  Business response

  09/09/2024

    i would invite the complainant to come in to my office so we can clearly go over the promotion, including the details of the drawing and all relevant disclosures. This complaint has no merit in that it makes assertions that are not part of the terms and conditions. Ignoring the relevant disclosures in the terms and conditions does not mean they do not apply. We all receive these types of promotional materials in the mail and can choose to ignore or explore them. These mail pieces are vetted and the offers clearly stated on the mailer itself. We had many customers come in and have a lot of fun with the sale, unfortunately *********'  expectations did not match up with the rules and regulations specified in the disclosure.

  Customer response

  09/09/2024

   
  Complaint: 22224905
  
  I am rejecting the dealer's response. I have read the relevant documentation already on my own, multiple times. I am a historian with a Master's Degree and I can assure you that I do not need any relevant portions to be explained to me in the office at College Chevrolet. The dealership has engaged in deceptive business practices, lying to at least ******* consumers, myself included. The dealership intentionally set up a system where people are deceived in order to get them to come into the dealership and then required to complete a sales application for the purchase or lease of a vehicle instead of having the promised prizes issued, in violation of Michigan law.

  The dealership claims what they are doing is fine because it is widespread, but I have never seen an advertisement so egregiously dishonest that it PROMISES to award a prize in multiple places which are only contradicted in the official rules which not included in the advertisement itself, and in exactly one place in the tiny fine print. This is a literal, intentional lie that the dealership claims is acceptable because the lie is admitted to in the legalese. 

  The dealership is refusing to resolve this complaint amicably and I will be pursuing other avenues of resolution. 

  Sincerely,
  
  ***************

• Initial Complaint

  07/07/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I took my 2018 GMC Acadia into College Chevrolet to get my transmission replaced. My warranty paid for the transmission replacement but I paid 530$ out of pocket for the cost of bolts, brackets, etc. About 3 weeks after receiving my car back from College, I noticed a ticking noise from under my hood. I took my vehicle in to *********** (where I bought the vehicle) for them to inspect it. They notified me that the noise I was hearing was caused from a hole in my catalytic converter, which was caused by my exhaust that was loose and not bolted in. I was informed that when College Chevrolet replaced my transmission, they did not replace the bolts and brackets that I paid out of pocket for, which in turn caused my exhaust to put a hole in my catalytic converter. I called College Chevrolet to see if we could resolve the problem, and to see if they would fix my vehicle because I should not have to pay out of pocket for the damages they caused. I was screamed at in my face and told they will not fix anything and they didnt do it. They are the only ones that have touched my vehicle and I have all paperwork from *********** and College Chevrolet to prove it. I am including photos of the underneath of my vehicle that were provided to me by *********** of the missing bolts and brackets underneath my vehicle.

  Business response

  07/18/2024

   The consumer complaint is without merit. The required repairs on the customer vehicle have no relation to the issue being identified. Aggressive behaviors and threats from  the customer aside, we have shown the customer that the transmission repairs are in no way related to the failure of the catalytic converter. We cannot assume responsibility or liability for the condition of the condition of the vehicle beyond the scope of our repair.

  Customer response

  07/20/2024

   
  Complaint: 21954102
  
  I am rejecting this response because:

  I have video proof that there were zero threats made on my behalf when I talked to the boss at College Chevrolet. The boss got in my face and also put his fist up to me as if he was going to assault me. I am going to include paper work from my inspection done by *********** that states the cause of the hole in my catalytic converter is caused from the exhaust bracket not being put back on. I also have already uploaded photos sent to me from **** that show the missing brackets.  Again, I paid out of pocket for these bolts and brackets and they werent even put on my vehicle after College did my transmission replacement.  I also have paperwork from College stating they did an inspection on my vehicle after replacing my transmission, that inspection also includes inspecting the exhaust system  If they would have actually done their job and did the inspection as they stated, they would have noticed the brackets were missing. They are 100% at fault here. They failed to put my vehicle back together properly after replacing my transmission which in turn caused more damage. They also did not do a proper inspection as they stated on their own paperwork.   I will absolutely not pay out of pocket for their mistakes. They were automatically on the defense when I first called them about this problem and have refused to take accountability ever since. 

  
  Sincerely,
  
  ***********************

  Business response

  07/22/2024

   College Chevrolet submits that the claimants statements are not factual. The scope of the repairs done at our facility were done properly and the transmission is performing per specifications. 

  Customer response

  07/22/2024

   
  Complaint: 21954102
  
  I am rejecting this response because:

  I never once claimed the transmission was not performing properly. When your employees changed my transmission, they neglected to bolt back in my exhaust system which in turn caused damage to my vehicle. You claimed there was an inspection done on my vehicle but I was never informed of any bolts or brackets missing. All my statements are 100% factual and I have proof to back up every single thing I have said. I have contacted a lawyer and will be seeing you in court. Thank you. Sorry we couldnt work this out outside of a court room. 

  
  Sincerely,
  
  ***********************

• Initial Complaint

  03/16/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Sales and Advertising Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  Ive bought Two vehicles within three years from the dealership. rolling over the finances of the first one and the second engine failing the same way. I had a meeting with them in person and over the phone and after them cursing at me and telling me that theyre not responsible I decided to file a report. I am $14,000 in debt because of this.

  Business response

  03/16/2023

   The customer (****) is related to one of our employees who actually sold him both vehicles. The Equinox in question was driven approximately ****** miles since August 2020. The vehicle was a low mileage vehicle (*****) in great shape and served him well until he experienced a failure. Unfortunately the manufacturer will not provide assistance beyond a 10% GM participation if service records are available. **** turned down the opportunity to extend coverage through an extended service plan that was offered at the time of his purchase. It is not reasonable to expect either the manufacturer or the dealer to accept responsibility for the vehicle regardless of miles , time , or failure to effectively maintain the vehicle. The terms and conditions are spelled out specifically in all sales agreements with no room for misunderstanding or miscommunication.

  We are always distressed when a customer experiences a failure. We cannot however, carry the liability when the customer has failed to adequately protect himself from such loss through service plan protection or following the published maintenance schedule. **** was treated with respect and these concerns were expressly explained. All of our efforts were rejected making a mutual resolution impossible.

   

• Initial Complaint

  04/26/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Sales and Advertising Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  On April 8th, our 2007 Saturn Aura was taken in for service for a new alternator. On April 15th, I picked up the car and the windshield had 2 large cracks that were not there previously and the hood on the driver side was no longer flush with the front side panel. I called the service department the next business day, left a message and have not received a return call, to date. I then sent an email to the General Manager with photos attached of the windshield and hood. I have not received a follow up email or call, to date.

  Business response

  05/11/2022

  The complaint is without merit. The customer brought the vehicle in based on improper diagnosis provided be a third party. No damage was done to the vehicle when it was here. The pictures provided are indicative of the hood coming open when hood was not latched properly. This has nothing to do with our dealership.

*Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business. ↩